Orioles and Manny Machado avoid arbitration

Even with trade rumors continuing to swirl around Manny Machado, the Baltimore Orioles were able to avoid arbitration with their All-Star third baseman on Friday.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthalreported on Thursday evening that Arizona continues to engaged Baltimore about trade talks for Machado, though nothing appears close. Before the deal was complete, Machado had been linked to several other teams, including the Yankees, White Sox and Red Sox.

Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Machado and the Orioles agreed to terms on a $16 million deal for 2018 that also includes awards incentives. He has a.279/.329/.476 career slash line, and his 105 homers since 2015 tie him with J.D. Martinez for eighth most among big league hitters over the past three seasons.

A trade isn't close to being made, though Machado would certainly improve Arizona's World Series chances if he was to be sent out west. Knowing their window of dethroning the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West - and entire NL for that matter - is a small one, Machado could be the crucial part in accomplishing their ultimate postseason goals.

Machado, a third baseman for most of his six years in the majors, has voiced his desire to move to shortstop.

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, who is most closely compared to Machado due to their star power and earning potential as they reach free agency following this season at age 26, will receive $21.625 million next year, an $8 million raise, as part of a deal negotiated last season to buy out his final arbitration year. He's expected to land a much more lucrative deal than the record-setting one Giancarlo Stanton signed a few years ago. In 2017, Machado batted.259 to go along with 33 home runs and 95 RBIs. He finished ninth in the AL MVP voting in 2013 as a 21-year-old.

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